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Top drive interlock

a top drive and interlocking technology, applied in the direction of electric controllers, surveyors, borehole/well accessories, etc., can solve the problems of increasing the possibility of downtime, increasing the likelihood of thread damage, and consuming the process of connecting and disconnecting the casing using a thread connection, so as to improve the operation of the top drive

Active Publication Date: 2008-05-29
WEATHERFORD TECH HLDG LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for improving top drive operations. In one embodiment a method of ensuring safe operation of a top drive includes operating a top drive, thereby exerting torque on a first tubular to makeup or breakout a first threaded connection

Problems solved by technology

However, the process of connecting and disconnecting a casing using a threaded connection is time consuming.
Furthermore, the threading process also increases the likelihood of damage to the threads, thereby increasing the potential for downtime.
One problem that may occur with the threaded connection is inadvertent breakout of that connection during operation.
It may be possible that the left hand torque required to break out the casing connection exceeds the breakout torque of the connection between the adapter and the quill, thereby inadvertently disconnecting the adapter from the quill and creating a hazardous situation on the rig.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0021]FIG. 1 shows a drilling rig 10 applicable to drilling with casing operations or a wellbore operation that involves picking up / laying down tubulars. The drilling rig 10 is located above a formation at a surface of a well. The drilling rig 10 includes a rig floor 20 and a v-door 800. The rig floor 20 has a hole 55 therethrough, the center of which is termed the well center. A spider 60 is disposed around or within the hole 55 to grippingly engage the casings 30, 65 at various stages of the drilling operation. As used herein, each casing 30, 65 may include a single casing or a casing string having more than one casing. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention are equally applicable to other types of wellbore tubulars, such as drill pipe.

[0022]The drilling rig 10 includes a traveling block 35 suspended by cables 75 above the rig floor 20. The traveling block 35 holds the top drive 50 above the rig floor 20 and may be caused to move the top drive 50 longitudinally. The top dri...

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Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for improving top drive operations. In one embodiment a method of ensuring safe operation of a top drive includes operating a top drive, thereby exerting torque on a first tubular to makeup or breakout a first threaded connection between the first tubular and a second tubular. The method further includes monitoring for break-out of a second connection between a quill of the top drive and the first tubular; and stopping operation of the top drive and / or notifying an operator of the top drive if break-out of the second connection is detected.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 60 / 866,322 (Atty. Dock. No. WEAT / 0749L), entitled “Top Drive Backout Interlock Method”, filed on Nov. 17, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for improving top drive operations.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]It is known in the industry to use top drive systems to rotate a drill string to form a borehole. Top drive systems are equipped with a motor to provide torque for rotating the drilling string. The quill of the top drive is typically threadedly connected to an upper end of the drill pipe in order to transmit torque to the drill pipe. Top drives may also be used in a drilling with casing operation to rotate the casing.[0006]To drill with casing, most existing top drives use a threaded crosso...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G05B11/01E21B19/18
CPCE21B19/165E21B19/16E21B3/02E21B19/164E21B19/166
Inventor BOUTWELL, DOYLE F.
Owner WEATHERFORD TECH HLDG LLC
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